Cornwall Playhouse, Hall for Cornwall

This is a great example of how the design team managed to keep significant parts of the existing building to ensure the project cost was managed within target. The project provided an additional 300 seats in a wonderful new 1,200-seat, three-tier theatre designed to host a full range of events. As the Team Leader from Charcoalblue LLP, and working closely with Burell Foley Fischer Architects, Flip provided advice and specifications for acoustics, auditorium design and planning, stage engineering, stage lighting and audio-visual services. The new theatre will lend itself to not just plays and musicals but comedy nights, live music and classical concerts also. Accessibility has been improved with new ramps, lifts and seating positions. Backstage dressing rooms and support facilities have been re-envisioned for a better experience for visiting artists. At front of house, the listed marketplace entrance is restored and forms the centrepiece for the theatre's foyer with a new restaurant open throughout the day. Hall for Cornwall has been home to some of the country's most iconic cultural moments such as Queen's first gig with Freddie Mercury in 1970. As such, preserving its heritage and affirming its future is important for Cornwall and the UK.